(A) Historic Preservation Commission. The county hereby creates a Commission to be called the Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission.
(B) Membership.
(1) The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of 7 members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. All members of the Commission shall have a demonstrated interest in Frederick County and no more than three members shall be non-residents of Frederick County. All members shall possess a demonstrated special interest, specific knowledge, or professional or academic training in such fields as history, architecture, architectural history, planning, archaeology, anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban design, or related disciplines. The County Executive may consult other private societies or agencies to request the names for possible members on the Commission. Geographic diversity within the county shall be a goal.
(2) At least 2 members of the Commission shall possess professional or academic training in 1 or more of the above- listed fields in accordance with the minimum professional requirements of the United States Department of the Interior for certifying local governments under 36 C.F.R. Part 61. A good- faith effort to locate and appoint such professionals will be made and documentation as to how this effort was accomplished shall be retained by the county.
(C) Commission membership qualification criteria. The requirement for Commission membership under the category of demonstrated special interest may be satisfied by formal training in 1 or more of the fields listed in paragraph (B). The requirement for membership under the category of specific knowledge may be satisfied by formal post secondary education, employment or practical experience in 1 or more of the above-listed fields. The requirement for Commission membership under the category of professional or academic training may be satisfied by, at a minimum, 2 years experience as a professional or a bachelor’s degree in one or more of the above-listed fields.
(D) Terms. Commission members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years and may be reappointed. Terms shall be staggered.
(E) Commission officers. The Commission shall elect, from its membership, a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson shall serve for 1 year terms and shall be eligible for reelection but may not serve more than 4 consecutive years in the same office.
(F) Vacancy. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission caused by the expiration of a term, resignation, death, incapacity to discharge duties, removal for cause, or any other reason, shall be filled for a new term, or for the remainder of the term for which there is a vacancy, as the case may be, in the same manner as provided herein for the appointment of the initial members of the Commission. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority within 60 days. In the case of expiration of term, a member may continue to serve until the member’s successor is appointed. Unexcused absences at 3 consecutive meetings shall constitute resignation by the member and shall create a vacancy.
(G) Removal for cause. A member may be removed by the County Executive from the Commission for cause, upon written charges, and after a public hearing, by the County Executive or designee.
(H) Compensation. Commission members shall serve with the compensation that the county governing body deems appropriate, as the county governing body provides in the annual budget.
(I) Meetings. The Commission shall hold such regular meetings and hearings as necessary to discharge its duties.
(J) Staff. Consistent with the county’s policies and procedures, employees may be assigned to the Commission, and such services and facilities shall be made available as the county deems necessary or appropriate for the proper performance of its duties. (Ord. 97-16-194, 12-2-1997; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014; Bill No. 24-01, 4-16-2024)